The key players behind this initiative are Senators Welch and Van Hollen, who introduced the bill to the Senate on June 13, 2023. The bill, now awaiting assessment by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, aims to tackle key environmental issues, efficient energy use, and transparency for the average consumer.
The bill identifies two potential beneficiaries of this transparent data sharing: “electric consumers” and “gas consumers” – that is, anyone using electricity or gas supplied by a regulated utility. The proposed legislation calls for end-users and their appointed representatives to have direct, clear access to their own energy usage and cost data.
But what does this mean for the average consumer? Think of it as having a personalized energy report. But unlike those leaflets bundled with your energy bill – the ones you bin instantly – this one would contain all the highly detailed, up-to-date, specific information about your energy consumption. All available to view on a website, and laid out in a user-friendly, clear-cut manner. Your energy use, costs, and any applicable rates, all going back up to 24 months.
On a larger scale, this bill is about more than just consumer empowerment. It is an effort to take on climate change, by facilitating smoother and broader adoption of innovative services and products that improve energy management. By delivering granular level insights about energy usage, consumers will be able to make informed decisions to reduce wastage and greenhouse gas emissions.
So how will this vision be funded? Section 3 of the bill authorizes an appropriation of $10 million for fiscal year 2023. However, the exact sources of these funds are not specified in the bill.
One substantial area addressed in the legislation is the provision of ‘Electric meter app stores’, meant to bring in competition and efficiency. The analogy of an app store is fitting – the law envisions utilities operating similar to a digital marketplace, where software applications execute on the grid edge computer (that’s your advanced electricity and gas meter) in order to share or analyze retail energy information.
To protect consumers, the bill emphasizes robust data security standards and privacy protections. It explicitly states that consumer energy data should be made available in electronic, machine-readable form, with data privacy protocols like the Department of Energy’s DataGuard Energy Data Privacy Program or other approved programs.
While the E-Access Act is still on the Senate floor, it represents an important step in increasing transparency and promoting better energy management. The bill will make energy data personally meaningful and actionable for the average consumer, opening the door for the development of innovative energy management products and services. Ultimately, it’s all about giving power (figuratively, and literally!) to the people.
